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Chapin is commonly known as the Capital of Lake Murray, but the advantages to living in this town extend far beyond the water’s edge. With proximity to everything from parks to great shopping to cultural entertainment, it’s a haven for families who want to live in a community that cares about its future and is building toward it.

Chapinites are all about the outdoors! Lake Murray is Chapin’s very own backyard playground – one with over 500 miles of shoreline used for swimming, water skiing, sailing, and fishing. Chapin is fortunate to have access to nearby Crooked Creek Park (CCP), which boasts a 53,000 square-foot Community Center in addition to outdoor athletic fields, tennis courts, picnic facilities, walking trails, playgrounds, and a 27-hole disc golf course. CCP is part of the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC), whose mission is to improve the quality of life for its residents through recreational and cultural programs. ICRC’s most recent accomplishment is the grand opening of Melvin Park in Chapin, on March 11, 2017. This brand new 70 acre park features a six field baseball complex, an eight-court tennis complex, two multi-use fields, and a splash pad.

Chapin is also looking forward to a new 220-acre Business and Technology Park near the entrance to Chapin and Interstate 26, now under construction. The community is counting on this new tech hub to bring new job opportunities and investment to the area. Chapin’s proximity to a major interstate and to Lake Murray, and its many community amenities and projects on the horizon mean even more opportunities and experiences for its citizens.

McGuinn Hybrid Homes built its Bickley Estates neighborhood of homes near Chapin to “be part of this successful, growing community, and to give homebuyers a great neighborhood that will only get better with time.” – Wade McGuinn, CEO of McGuinn Hybrid Homes

There is so much more to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) than what you see as you wait in security lines or dash through the terminal, beyond the rocking chairs and golf attire, Gamecock gear, travel pillows and South Carolina snowglobes. CAE has a long and storied history of service to the Midlands community.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport began in the early 1940s as the Lexington County Airport, until the U.S. War Department acquired it for use during World War II. The airport was then expanded to include runways, hangars, roads, barracks, a church, officer’s quarters, and other facilities, and renamed the Columbia Army Air Base (CAAB). There, the Army’s B-25 bomber aircrews would train for missions. In 1942, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Jimmy Doolittle, a legendary military aviator, traveled to Columbia and asked for volunteers for a secret military mission that was to become the famous Doolittle Raid over Tokyo. When the war ended, CAAB was sold back to Lexington County. The City of Columbia constructed a new terminal building in the early 1950s that burned down. The present terminal opened in 1965, and a major renovation was completed in 1997. There are historic markers at the airport for CAAB, the 319th Bombardment Group, the 310th, 321st and 340th Bombardment Groups, and for The Doolittle Raiders. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid.

Today, the airport is engaged in various projects to make both airline passengers and our military have the best experience possible when flying: CAE’s Department of Public Safety provides a safe and peaceful environment through law enforcement and fire rescue services; the airport’s ECOprojects include ecologically-friendly and economical construction projects to upgrade airport facilities; the rotating arts program adds beauty and local flavor to the terminal; CAE is working with therapy dogs through Therapy Dogs Inc. to make airport and travel experiences less stressful, by putting smiles on travelers’ faces and calming the nerves of new Army recruits that arrive for basic training at Fort Jackson; and the airport’s staffed USO Center welcomes hundreds of new recruits each week. The USO slogan is, “Be the Force Behind the Forces”, and they do this by providing drinks, snacks, toiletries, computers, complimentary WiFi, TV, video games, relaxation and sleep areas, and more for our traveling servicemen and women. CAE also participated in the Honor Flights for WWII Veterans from South Carolina to Washington D.C.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport offers more than 30 daily non-stop flights, serves five major American airlines and has connections to nine large US cities. It is self-sufficient and does not receive any state or local tax dollars, but generates around $847 million for South Carolina. Over 40 businesses operate on the airport’s campus and create over 1,800 full time jobs. Just recently, the airport celebrated five consecutive years of growth, with statistics for 2016 indicating that airport traffic is up and airfares are down. “If you have ever flown to or from Columbia Metropolitan, you know it is a world-class airport that does so much for our state, our citizens and our military family. Our community of homes at Harvest Glen is located a mere 10 minutes from takeoff to anywhere in the world!” – Wade McGuinn, CEO

Lexington and the surrounding areas are extremely fortunate to have a world-class healthcare system in Lexington Medical Center. Much more than a hospital, LMC has grown over the years into a community healthcare hub, providing the latest in treatment and care, support, health education, and specialized programs, providing peace of mind, dignity and hope to residents who need it most.

Lexington County Hospital opened in 1971 and immediately began providing quality health services and creating satellite facilities. The hospital was later re-named Lexington Medical Center, as it continued to expand into small towns around Lexington County, and in 2001 the modern medical complex that is the Lexington Medical Center Main Campus was opened. Now, LMC houses 428 beds and anchors a healthcare network of over 600 physicians, 70+ medical practices, six urgent care centers, an occupational health center, the largest extended care facility in the Carolinas, all while operating the busiest ER in the state.

LMC is a leader in community-based healthcare, but their contributions encompass much more than treatment. LMC has, throughout its history, provided education to the public, convenient outpatient services, locations for long-term and Alzheimer’s care, support groups, and a career awareness program for high schoolers looking to go into the healthcare field. Cutting-edge techniques and technology are applied in areas like the Primary Stroke Center and Bariatric Center of Excellence, LMC’s nationally-certified heart and cancer programs, and more. The Lexington Medical Center Foundation is in the midst of a three-year, $3 million campaign to bring 3-D mammography to every patient, including by way of its mobile mammography van. LMC also currently employs more than 6,000 people in and around Columbia – a boon to the local labor force.

The Pleasant Springs home community is located near I-20 off Rawl Road in Lexington. Being so close to this innovative leader of community medicine is definitely one draw to living there. “Tight-knit communities like Lexington deserve nothing short of the best healthcare available, and Lexington Medical Center provides that and so much more to this region.” – Wade McGuinn, CEO of McGuinn Hybrid Homes

The Town of Lexington is thinking about its future. Proof of this can be found in the Vision Plan that was created in 2011-2012 to provide a “roadmap” for the town’s development over the next 20 years. More than 400 ideas and opinions were shared by residents about the future of their community and its revitalization. Several of the plan’s projects have already been completed, like the Farmers Market that opened on Main Street in 2011, the Lexington Paw Park that opened in 2013, Lexington Square park, which opened downtown in 2012, and the Icehouse Amphitheater, which just opened in 2016.

Lexington is not stopping there; upcoming goals in the Vision Plan include improved traffic flow, better infrastructure, more convenient access to Lake Murray, a new recreational trail system, beautification of the area, and making Main Street into a hub for entertainment, shopping and community activity. At the same time, residents expressed a desire to preserve Lexington’s history, retain its unique rural character, and maintain its small town charm despite all of these big changes. The Vision Plan will work within this cooperative spirit to ensure that Lexington’s future economic prosperity remains connected with its past, and that it’s always a town that its citizens will want to call home.

“I have the utmost confidence in the dedication of the residents, Town of Lexington, and Lexington County to work together and make this community one that will grow, yet keep its longstanding sense of community through family, faith, sports, the arts, and great schools. It is for this reason that McGuinn Hybrid Homes built its Eagle Glen community here – to grow along with it.” – Wade McGuinn, CEO of McGuinn Hybrid Homes

The city of West Columbia has been called a “jewel on the river” — the Congaree River, that is! This quaint community is right across the Congaree, via the Gervais Street or Blossom Street Bridge, from the capital city of Columbia. It has direct access to all of Columbia’s “big city” amenities, while retaining the tree-lined streets and unique advantages that give this small town its charm.

West Columbia is a thriving city with a bright future. It is slowly but surely carving out its own identity, unique from its namesake across the Congaree. It is no longer simply a commuter town, but a bustling business and recreational district, and its residents enjoy this distinction. The city maintains the popular West Columbia-Cayce Riverwalk, Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater, and it hosts the West Metro Parade of Lights during the holidays and the Rhythm on the River concert series in the summer, both of which have become entertainment traditions in this community. West Columbia is made up of many parks, community centers, and sports complexes, with recreational activities such as hiking, biking, bird watching, kayaking, and more. The River District is a non-profit organization comprised of the city’s merchants and concerned citizens who are interested in growing the local economy. Finally, the City of West Columbia and the West Columbia Beautification Foundation work together to enhance the beauty of West Columbia and make it an attractive place to live, work, and visit through landscaping, beautification projects, expansion of the tree canopy and development of green spaces.

McGuinn Hybrid Homes’ is very proud of its contribution to West Columbia with its Harvest Glen community of homes. These homes are built to suit your wants, needs and budget, and are built with energy efficient features and construction techniques that make them less costly to maintain. “Long-time residents and young families alike make up the landscape that is West Columbia, and we are happy to have a stake in this growing community,” said CEO, Wade McGuinn.

Boats, fishing, jet skis, bonfires, dogs, s’mores, fireflies, cooking out…this is lake living in South Carolina. Of course, lake life is more than what you do, it’s a whole different perspective. It’s a sense of contentment, brought on by a way of being that is in communion with nature and fun and family.

When you live in a state where the forecast for most days is “sunny”, with a subtropical climate, Famously Hot summers and mild winters, it can get to you. Tempers tend to flare, fuses shorten…we all need a place to cool off and relax. Living near the water imparts a soothing sense of tranquility to most all of us.

McGuinn Hybrid Homes’ new Summerlake neighborhood in Lexington is perfect for the family that loves the outdoors, and loves lake life. Summerlake has a 15-acre fully stocked lake, boating dock, large community pool, clubhouse with covered porches, picnic area, recreation field, pocket parks, fenced boat storage and more. Summerlake is close to 50,000 acre Lake Murray with over 500 miles of shoreline, and Summerlake boaters and can use nearby public boat launches or dock at a marina. On top of that, children living in Summerlake attend award-winning Lexington One District schools, only a 10 minute drive from the community.

Living so close to the serene fresh water does rub off on people. Wade McGuinn of McGuinn Hybrid Homes agrees: “Communities like Summerlake provide more than just comfort and great amenities, they provide a lifestyle for your family.”

Residents of South Carolina’s “Twin Cities”, Batesburg-Leesville, live in one of this state’s best small towns. Some of the perks of living in “B-L” are renowned Lexington County School District Three schools, including a Fine Arts Center and Lifelong Learning Center, two historical downtown districts, proximity to Columbia and Lake Murray, and its closeness to the mountains and the ocean.

B-L started out as two separate municipalities, then Batesburg and Leesville consolidated in 1993 into what is now a town spanning almost eight square miles. It is home to the acclaimed South Carolina Poultry Festival and to award-winning barbecue restaurants, quality local retail stores, and local craft artisans. In addition to all of this, B-L is far enough away from bigger cities to enjoy tranquil country living among the peach trees and the fields. When McGuinn Hybrid Homes decided to build its Miller Woods community in B-L, we saw firsthand the hospitality and friendliness that make up this area’s smaller town values, and were impressed with its locale and potential, but even more so with its beauty, and feeling of safety and comfort.

Batesburg-Leesville has always maintained a strong sense of community. History and traditions are viewed with pride by the people who live there, and everyone is treated as a neighbor. Buying local and civic participation has always been the trend here, as has their “family state of mind”.

“That’s the type of community where our neighborhoods flourish”, said Wade McGuinn, CEO of McGuinn Hybrid Homes.

It’s only February, but we’re already thinking about spring here at McGuinn Hybrid Homes! Winter is rough on those of us who miss spending days on the Midlands’ beautiful rivers, in our parks and on our nature trails. Columbia is a great place to live if you love the outdoors! We try to incorporate that fact when deciding where to build our homes.

Residents of the Burnside Farms community have the convenience of the Southeast Park and Tennis Center being within walking distance, Congaree National Park less than 15 minutes away, the Fort Jackson Golf Club, and even a Splash Park in the neighborhood for those warm summer days! We continually strive to make the best features from the area part of our neighborhood planning.

Groundhog Day is tomorrow. With any luck, Punxsutawney Phil will not see his shadow, and we can all look forward to an early spring!

Living in Lexington means many things to many people – great quality of life, southern hospitality, an abundance of family friendly activities, convenience, top notch services, and of course, fabulous Lake Murray. If you have children, it means award-winning schools with an excellent academic reputation. It’s for those reasons and more that McGuinn Hybrid Homes is so proud of our Pleasant Springs homes and community.

Lexington County’s popularity is on the rise in terms of population, homes, and businesses, and the Lexington One school district is one of the fastest-growing school districts in the state. This is due, in part, to its emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math, or “STEM” studies in schools. Our increasingly complex world demands that the new generation of leaders be ready to compete using 21st century skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Lexington One schools produces graduates who fit that bill and more. High expectations, high quality learning, and strong commitment by the community all lend a hand towards producing the culture of excellence that Lexington One schools are known for, and not just in academics, but arts and athletics as well. The Lexington Technology Center, providing advanced STEM studies to students from all five Lexington One high schools, is a wonderful example of taking this a step further in preparing students for their future careers, while serving as a center for community learning.

The rapid area growth in Lexington means new growth in all kinds of ways. We are honored to be part of a community that is recognized for its family values, hard work and forward thinking. You can find more information on Lexington One schools at http://www.lexington1.net/, and more information on the Technology Center at http://ltc.lexington1.net/.

Forest Acres is known for its award-winning schools, close-knit community, gorgeous green spaces, and convenience to great shopping, dining, downtown and Fort Jackson. From small, one-of-a-kind
stores to large national chains, Forest Acres’ choice location and upscale image make it a draw for consumers from all over the Midlands, and therefore to new businesses looking to set up shop. The growth of new business leads to better housing options and happier residents, like those of McGuinn Hybrid Homes’ Eagle Park gated community. Eagle Park homes’ “Affordable Luxury” is similar to Forest Acres itself — its sophisticated, metropolitan amenities balanced by a quiet, family feel.

Forest Acres incorporated in 1935 in lieu of becoming part of the City of Columbia, and for that reason has been called “a city within a city.” This spirited sense of independence has kept the area from becoming too big, and from the issues that come along with a larger city like Columbia. Forest Acres has become a shopping destination for those who appreciate unique products and one-on-one attention. People come from all over the area by way of Forest Drive, Trenholm Road and Beltline Boulevard to shop in these thriving local boutiques as well as larger, more recognizable stores. Trenholm Plaza, with its mix of regional and national shopping and dining chains, is a major intersection for denizens of Forest Acres. With major retailers like Publix, The Fresh Market, and Stein Mart, dining options like Starbucks, Rosso Trattoria Italia, and The Original Pancake House, and shops like lululemon, Anthropologie and Gwen Rawls Shoes, it plays well to Forest Acres’ eclectic mix of people. Another nearby hub, Richland Mall, houses perennial favorites Belk and Barnes and Noble, while Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods have added a whole new dimension to this area’s grocery experience.

The Savannah Floorplan

Forest Acres has certainly come a long way. The sound business decisions that have led to creating this diverse economic landscape have also led to an improved community. Wade McGuinn, CEO of McGuinn Hybrid Homes, is proud to have played a part in growing this area and helping to make it “A City Apart.”

This is your last opportunity to live in this awesome area in a McGuinn New Construction Hybrid Home! The Savannah Floorplan is Move-In-Ready, for only $131,900! This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath will not last long; call McGuinn today at 803.917.5583.